scholarly journals Do parents and carers experiencing violent and challenging behaviour from their children fit with safeguarding models of support? Messages from a Facebook study

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 285-295
Author(s):  
Philip Heslop ◽  
Su McAnelly ◽  
Jane Wilcockson ◽  
Yvonne Newbold ◽  
Maria Avantaggiato-Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Challenging Behaviour ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Online Social Media ◽  
Study Participants

Purpose This paper reports research findings on the experiences of parents/carers of children with special education needs and disabilities who present violent and challenging behaviour. More specifically, the purpose of this paper is to explore how parents/carers report how their support needs are met by social care services. Design/methodology/approach The research is an empirical study which considers the challenging side of parenting children with additional needs. Data were gathered through a national online social media focus group and thematically analysed to identify emerging themes from an overlooked community. The study applied a participatory approach, with researchers and participants collaborating in designing and producing the research. Findings Participants reported a multitude of adversities and they experience difficulties in accessing support from professionals. The parents and carers expressed a continued desire to care for their children, often during much adversity and in receipt of little recognition or support from external agencies. An emerging theme was that they are often not assessed in their own right by agencies who focus on safeguarding. Research limitations/implications In this online participatory study, participants were self-selecting and the research relied on self-report during online discussions. Originality/value This study is original in applying an innovative research methodology using online focus groups with an under researched community. This online focus group generated real time data and offered participants the opportunity to share information in their own environments. The themes emerging from this research have implications for policy and practice for an under reported adult community who experience increasing vulnerabilities.

Commentary on a “unified approach to behaviours that challenge”: against consensus – why we need a new field of challenging behaviour studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-172
Author(s):  
Stacy Clifford Simplican
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Challenging Behaviour ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interdisciplinary Field ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Positive Behaviour Support ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper challenges the value of consensus within the field of learning disability. In this commentary, the author argues that consensus threatens to silence multiple viewpoints, hides how power operates and stifles creativity. Design/methodology/approach The author focuses on two articles within this special issue to suggest that the consensus celebrated is more about a set of shared values, rather than a set of shared practices. This should make us question the depth of the field’s consensus. Findings The presumption that multiple paradigms can be “unified” actually hides how power operates to resolve disagreements among positive behaviour support, active support and human rights approaches. A similar erasure occurs in the language of “capable environments,” which the author argues obscures the role of individuals, relationships and organizational cultures in impacting quality of life. Research limitations/implications We need to create and build a new interdisciplinary field of challenging behaviour studies that is willing to embrace conflict and disagreement in research, policy and practice. Practical implications The author believes that this approach is more likely to empower people, including people with learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges, family members, and direct support workers because it is more likely to recognize their experiences and expertise. Originality/value A new multidisciplinary field of challenging behaviour studies may encourage more theoretical diversity that makes us challenge the value of consensus and embrace creativity.

Involuntary Celibates and Involuntary Celibacy: A Systematic Scoping Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Joseph ◽  
Alok Kanojia
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Core Beliefs ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Mass Violence ◽  
Functionally Impaired ◽  
Literature Base

BACKGROUND Due largely to its links to recent acts of mass violence, self-described involuntary celibates or “incels” have captured media attention and have been increasingly studied as a population of interest across a wide array of academic disciplines. But to date, there has been no systematic collection or evaluation of this heterogenous literature base into a single review. OBJECTIVE The present review sought to identify and categorize the extant research literature on incels and the incel community. In addition, we were driven by our initial findings to develop research diagnostic criteria for a proposed Incel Syndrome that can both facilitate empirical research on this population and form a groundwork for the clinical treatment of the non-violent majority. METHODS We conducted a computerized search of the ProQuest, PubMed, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE databases. Studies were included if they either (1) have taken incels or involuntary celibacy as its primary subject matter or (2) featured an empirical investigation of a population including persons who explicitly self-report involuntary celibacy. RESULTS We found a total of 25 articles that met our inclusion criteria, including 7 surveys, 5 policy and practice recommendations, 9 social data analyses, and 4 theoretical papers. There was a heavy focus on viewing incels through the lens of national security and counter-terrorism studies. Analyses of incels’ online discussions revealed that the commenters and posters are misogynistic and hateful, but are also as frustrated, isolated, psychologically distressed, and functionally impaired. CONCLUSIONS We propose that incels are united by common developmental trajectories, psychological characteristics, and core beliefs about themselves and the world. In order to both protect from radical incel violence and rehabilitate to the non-violent majority, we need a better understanding of incels, and for that we need more empirical data on how they come to self-identify as incels and how they experience inceldom.

Water conservation behavior: is what we say what we do?

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 644-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janna M. Parker ◽  
Doreen Sams ◽  
Amit Poddar ◽  
Kalina Manoylov
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Field Study ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Single Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Study Phase ◽  
Conservation Behavior ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study (mixed-method) was to examine the effectiveness of two types of marketing interventions on water conservation behavior and to compare behaviors to self-reported conservation claims. Design/methodology/approach This paper consists of four phases (advertisement selection focus group, behavioral trace field study, self-report survey and follow-up focus group). In the USA, residing in a dormitory typically includes a fee for water without quantity restrictions. The subjects for this research were college students who lived in dormitories at a medium-sized university in southeastern USA where metering individual water consumption is not possible. Findings The results of the field study phase of student water conservation behaviors were not congruent with the participants’ self-reported behaviors. Phase 2 yielded results contrary to published laboratory experimental research in which cause-related claims were effective. Research limitations/implications This research was limited by a single sample (one university), time (13 weeks) and the inability to measure individual consumption behavior. However, valuable findings were obtained, and suggestions surfaced for future research. Practical implications Using eco-feedback technology and advertisements may result in significant cost savings. While findings were somewhat inconclusive, there was evidence that the use of the eco-feedback technology could result in cost savings for the subject university. Originality/value The behavioral trace study is one of the first field research studies in the marketing discipline designed to examine resource conservation behavior in an impactful way. Further, this research used a single sample triangulated methodology across Phases 2, 3 and 4.

A review of the use of portable technologies as observational aids in the classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 120 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 228-241
Author(s):  
Felicia Goh ◽  
Annemaree Carroll ◽  
Robyn M. Gillies
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Classroom Observation ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Portable Technology ◽  
Observation Strategies

Purpose Current classroom observation strategies include questionnaires, interviews, tests, self-report metrics and live or video review observation. However, these traditional methods are subject to biases from observers in determining behavior nuances, as well as being difficult to analyze for rapid and practical feedback. In addition, the invasiveness of extra body equipment in the classroom may alter the dynamic between students and teachers. The emergence of portable devices into mainstream usage has opened a pathway for a relatively novel source of quantitative data, free from observer bias and often with accompanying analytical tools for convenience. The purpose of this study is to summarize current uses of portable technology and explore how such devices could be used as monitoring tools by both schools and education researchers. Design/methodology/approach Functions based on utility outside the education field are proposed for monitoring student activity, posture and movement, as well as proximity and relationships to others and their environment. Deterrents to device implementation in regular classroom use, such as the importance of considering ethical issues and hardware limitations, are also covered. Findings While current portable technology is unlikely to replace more commonly used techniques of observing classes, they have the capacity to augment qualitative strategies, particularly in the area of real-time data output. Research limitations/implications Ideally, the lack of unbiased observational tools available and increased adoption of portable devices in classrooms could prompt future advances in technology for teaching and learning environments. Originality/value This review summarizes potential uses for portable technology in classroom observation strategies undertaken by researchers and teachers to improve learning and teaching practices.

Commentary on “Assisting individuals ageing with learning disability: support worker perspectives”

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-227
Author(s):  
Martin Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Support Worker ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Role Of The State ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the themes identified by Wark et al.’s paper and to highlight commonalities and differences between the Australian and the UK social and health care regimes. It also points to evidence about other implications for policy and practice of the increasing numbers of people growing older who have learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach – The commentary analyses some policy and practice documents and identifies a range of other research and commentary on this topic. Findings – Wark et al. have identified areas of importance for supporting older people with learning disabilities, particularly access to suitable and acceptable services and the importance of sufficient support worker time. They also identify gaps in the research on people’s needs and service responses. The commentary also highlights other factors for consideration in work with this group of people, particularly the implementation of personalisation policies in social care and integration between health and social care services. Research limitations/implications – There is a need for further research into developing policy and practice for health and social care for older people with learning disabilities. Some of the evidence supports the case for specialist involvement, particularly by nursing professionals. Originality/value – The paper and this commentary highlight the challenges associated with the increasing number of older people with learning disabilities in contemporary debates about the role of the state and professional specialists.

Transnational crisis translation: social media and forced migration

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-213
Author(s):  
Jay Marlowe
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Transnational Networks ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Online Social Media

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline how refugees’ transnational networks and online relationships facilitated through social media provide access to timely and trusted translated information in disaster settings. Design/methodology/approach The study is a digital ethnography of resettled refugees’ practices of transnational care and support through social media that took place over 12 months. It involved conducting 50 semi-structured interviews and collecting 472 online social media diaries with 15 participants. Data analysis was conducted through constructivist grounded theory. Findings Transnational networks are increasingly part of refugees’ everyday lives that illustrate how social media platforms can provide forms of transnational care and access to trusted translated communications during times of crisis. The paper discusses the possibilities and cautions of such support. Research limitations/implications The small number of participants limits the ability to make generalised claims about refugees and transnational possibilities for reducing disaster risk. However, the reality that social media effectively provide a bridge between “here” and “there” signals the importance of incorporating these considerations as a form of transnational disaster risk reduction. Practical implications The project highlights from policy and practice standpoints, how transnational networks and social media can be used to improve disaster communications and translation. This focus is achieved through examining the usability, accessibility and affordability of digital communication technologies for forced migrants. Originality/value Few studies focus on refugees and disaster risk reduction. This is particularly the case as it relates to the roles of transnational networks, which have increasing everyday interactions in countries that provide refugee resettlement programmes.

The views of social workers and special guardians on planning contact for special guardianship children

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-250
Author(s):  
Nicholas Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Permanency Planning ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose Special guardianship order (SGO) assessments require social workers to make plans and recommendations for ongoing post-SGO contact between the child and the parents. However, there is very little policy to inform and guide practitioners on how these duties should be undertaken, and no studies that describe current practice. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the recommending of contact in special guardianship cases is currently working, by holding focus groups with social workers and special guardians. This paper reports on the results of a study to examine what contact plans social workers are recommending, the thinking behind their decisions and the views of the special guardians who have to make those plans work. Design/methodology/approach The research involved a mixed methods approach comprising of an online questionnaire, two focus groups for social workers and two focus groups for special guardians. This paper describes the second part of the study and reports on the qualitative results from the four focus groups. The methodology was based on a pragmatist theoretical position, and used an interpretivist approach and elements of the analytical procedure of grounded theory in order to generate inductive research. The focus group method was chosen as the best way to gather rich information on the opinions and ideas of practitioners who are recommending contact and the carers who are managing it. Findings Participants provided a wide range of views on the issues, with practitioners describing the challenges of planning contact, and special guardians explaining the problems they faced with the parents. Involving special guardians in the study gave a chance to include the different perspectives of the people who have to make the contact recommendations work, and contrast their views on contact planning with those of the professionals. The study makes recommendations for practice, which recognise the difficulty of preparing an initial contact plan that will remain relevant for years ahead. Research limitations/implications The number of focus groups the author held was limited by the author’s own personal resources and the time the author had available, and one group only had three social workers on the day. The author’s involvement affected the responses, and the author’s questions dictated the issues that were commented on, but the answers were the opinions that the participants wanted to express. The nature of the approach means that no two sets of focus group results would ever be the same. And as the direction of the discussions was largely dictated by the participants, the coverage of all aspects of contact was probably inconsistent. Practical implications This research sheds light on a crucial area of social work permanency planning, that has suffered from a lack of previous research, in order to better inform future practice. The paper reports on what contact plans social workers are recommending, the thinking behind their decisions and the views of the special guardians who have to make those plans work. It concludes with recommendations for improving future special guardianship policy and practice. Social implications The research clearly raises a number of specific difficulties faced by special guardians and problems with current policy and practice. These include the special guardians’ lack of understanding about contact, the difficulty for social workers of long-term planning, the challenge posed by uncooperative parents who behave badly, the view of carers for the need for a greater emphasis on the quality and reliability of contact, and the challenge to careful contact planning posed by the adversarial court process. Originality/value Special guardianship has had a major impact on permanency planning since its introduction 12 years ago. However, apart from one DfE study in 2014, very little research has been produced to inform policy and practice. There have been no studies specifically on contact in special guardianship cases, despite contact being one of the two major factors in determining the success of SGO placements. This study has provided the first in-depth evaluation of social worker contact planning in special guardianship, and the first investigation of special guardians’ views on contact.

Reproductive health behaviour of Muslim immigrant women in Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela George ◽  
Jenepher Lennox Terrion ◽  
Rukhsana Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Behaviour ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Care Services

Purpose – Reproductive health is critically important for women and yet minority women in Canada are less likely to use preventive health care services. The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the health behaviours of this minority population and, in particular, identify barriers to accessing reproductive health care services. Design/methodology/approach – This study qualitatively analysed data from focus group discussions with 22 Muslim immigrant women in Ottawa, Canada. Findings – The theme of modesty emerged as one of the main barriers in the health seeking behaviour of Muslim immigrant women when it comes to reproductive health and, therefore, the gender of the physician was very important. Focus group participants also discussed a preference for family physicians from the same ethnic and cultural background. Adaptation, or the need to be flexible if there was no alternative to a male doctor, emerged as a theme throughout the focus groups. Emergencies were frequently cited as a reason to adapt. Practical implications – The findings reveal that while religious rules do play a predominant role in the health behaviour of Muslim immigrant women, communication by health care providers, government and health agencies can offer strategies to increase the uptake of preventive reproductive care. Originality/value – This study offers unique insights into the very personal experience of reproductive health care through rich, qualitative data. Given the impact of culture and religion on perceptions and practices, in particular related to reproductive health, this study contributes to more effective communication strategies with Muslim women.

scholarly journals The value and meaning of a community drop-in service for asylum seekers and refugees

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-45
Author(s):  
Hannah Catherine Spring ◽  
Fiona Katherine Howlett ◽  
Claire Connor ◽  
Ashton Alderson ◽  
Joe Antcliff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Refugees And Asylum Seekers ◽  
Asylum Seekers And Refugees

Purpose Asylum seekers and refugees experience substantial barriers to successful transition to a new society. The purpose of this paper is to explore the value and meaning of a community drop-in service offering social support for refugees and asylum seekers in the northeast of England and to identify the occupational preferences of the service users. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was conducted with refugees and asylum seekers using a community drop-in service. In total, 18 people participated from ten countries. Data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Findings The value and meaning of the service was expressed through four key areas: the need to experience a sense of community; being able to make an altruistic contribution within the community; the need for societal integration; and having the opportunity to engage in meaningful and productive occupations. Practical implications Community and altruism have profound cultural meaning for asylum seekers and refugees and the need to integrate, belong and contribute is paramount to successful resettlement. Community-based drop-in services can aid this at deep, culturally relevant levels. This study may inform policy and practice development, future service development and highlight potential opportunities for health and social care services provision amongst this growing population. Originality/value To date there are no studies that provide empirical evidence on how community-based drop-in services for refugees and asylum seekers are received. This study provides a cultural insight into the deeper value and meaning of such services, and is particularly relevant for professionals in all sectors who are working with asylum seekers and refugees.

The Stereotype Threat Effect

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Moritz ◽  
Insa Happach ◽  
Karla Spirandelli ◽  
Tania M. Lincoln ◽  
Fabrice Berna
Keyword(s):  
Stereotype Threat ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Neuropsychological Performance ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Online Study ◽  
Memory And Attention ◽  
Threat Effect ◽  
Efficacy Expectations ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Neurocognitive deficits in patients with mental disorders are partially due to secondary influences. “Stereotype threat” denotes the phenomenon that performance is compromised when a participant is confronted with a devaluing stereotype. The present study examined the impact of stereotype threat on neuropsychological performance in schizophrenia. Seventy-seven participants with a self-reported diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition involving stereotype threat activation or a control condition in an online study. Participants completed memory and attention tests as well as questionnaires on motivation, self-efficacy expectations, cognitive complaints, and self-stigmatization. Contrary to our prediction, the two groups showed no significant differences regarding neuropsychological performance and self-report measures. Limitations, such as a possibly too weak threat cue, are discussed and recommendations for future studies are outlined.

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